Platform

In 2015 Samantha started raising awareness to her platform, and causes she cares most about. An important part of this is education the public on these issues and the states related to them, read below some facts about these important causes.

Children who survive bullying experience PTSD-like symptoms throughout adult life

Be Someone’s Hero, Not a bystander teaches children and adults what to do when they see bullying. One thing Samantha says in all her speeches is “you never know what someone is going through or how hard something is for someone else to face, sometimes a simple smile, a hello, or are you okay? Can make all the difference in the world”.

Inclusion For all

96% of individuals with disabilities live with Invisible ones

82% of children with learning disabilities are bullied

79% of children with learning disabilities fear school

People with disabilities are more likely to suffer from Anxiety and Depression

Samantha an advocate for Inclusion for all has overcome diversity of her own. Samantha has several speech impediments that still affect her to this day. Samantha’s parents were told that she may never be able to speak like everyone else, now Sam is proving those doctors wrong by spreading hope, awareness, and her story worldwide!

Apraxia

Apraxia is a life-long neurological speech disorder

People with Apraxia can mess up word order

People with Apraxia can accidentally say the wrong word

Apraxia can cause an “odd” accent

Children with Apraxia are more likely to be bullied than others

Apraxia often is seen alongside Anxiety disorders

At the age of 2.5, Samantha was diagnosed with Apraxia. She had to learn to communicate with gestures, American Sign Language. Because of this she was often bullied growing up. As an adult she still faces discrimination based on her voice and accent. Now she educates others on what Apraxia is, and how her Apraxia is a part of her.

Live Out Loud Charity

Anti-bullying, Core Character Development and Suicide Prevention

Approx. 3,890 suicides happen in Canada per year

In ages, 15 to 34 suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death

20% of teens suffer from depression*

7 in 10 girls suffer from low self-esteem

In 2017 Samantha, after finishing her college training to work in schools, noticed a flaw in the training. Nowhere was there any training on how to spot bullying or suicidal behavior. Samantha after searching for a charity or organization to get the training found Live Out Loud Charity and connected with its founder, and now Samantha’s friend, Sherrie Gearheart!